During the working visit to Dublin on 21 January, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland Eamon Gilmore. The Ministers discussed important issues of the EU policy, the Ireland-Lithuania cooperation during the Presidencies of the EU Council of the two countries in 2013.

Linkevičius congratulated his Irish counterpart on the start of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. “Cooperation between Lithuania and Ireland in drafting the programme of the Council of the EU ran very smoothly and provided an excellent basis for ensuring the continuity of legislative processes in the EU. Lithuania and Ireland have similar priorities for economic growth and job creation,” Linkevičius said.

The Ministers also discussed bilateral relations between Lithuania and Ireland. According to Linkevičius, relations between the two countries are very good; Lithuania and Ireland are close partners in the European Union and other international organisations.

“An active Lithuanian community in Ireland is a strong human bond between Lithuania and Ireland, which contributes significantly to the development of cultural relations and other ties,” the head of the Lithuanian diplomacy said.